Rare and Exceptional Colt Third Model Dragoon Revolver, with Attachable Shoulder Stock, and "U.S." Stamping on Frame

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$126,500.00 Bid Source: Live: Floor bidder

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Rare and Exceptional Colt Third Model Dragoon Revolver, with Attachable Shoulder Stock, and "U.S." Stamping on Frame
Serial no. 17022 on revolver and matching numbers 17021 and 17022 on blued steel shoulder stock mountings. .44 caliber, 6-shot cylinder with Texas Rangers and Comanche Indians roll scene. 7 1/2-inch part round, part octagon barrel with brass blade front sight and folding three-blade rear sight dovetailed at barrel breech, marked for 100, 200 and 300 yards. Top flat of barrel lug stamped
Address Saml. Colt
New-York City
some of marking cut into by dovetailed rear sight, as was typical with the dovetailed rear sight on barrel. Blued, with case-hardened frame, hammer, and loading lever. Plain brass triggerguard strap with blued steel backstrap. The grips of oil-stained walnut.
Left side of the frame with
COLTS
PATENT
marking, beneath which is:
U.S.
The attachable shoulder stock is marked with the number 2175, located on the left side at the wrist.
Stamped on the cylinder, to the right of the number marking on the roll-engraved cartouche.
A C
An "M" is marked on the left shoulder of the triggerguard strap, and a "2" is stamped on the left side of the front bow of the triggerguard.
Serial numbered on the bottom of the blued steel stock yoke and on the heel of the blued steel buttplate:
17021
17022
Literature:
Extensively published, among the citations for no. 17022 shoulder stocked Dragoon are:
R.L. Wilson, editor, Antique Arms Annual 1971, page 22.
R.L. Wilson, The Colt Heritage and Colt An American Legend, page 54.

----------------, The Book of Colt Firearms, pages 72 and 93.
U.S. Cartridge Company Collection, both published early 20th century. For the 104-page edition, the stocked revolver is pictured on page 84, and described on page 87. In the 104-page edition, the revolver is pictured page 134, and described on page 135.
A.E. Brooks Collection, the set is pictured on page 24, and described as item 2175, on page 28.
Note:

Serial no. 17022 Dragoon revolver, with its attachable shoulder stock and exceptional condition, is considered the finest example known of a U.S.-marked Colt Third Model Dragoon revolver with matching stock. There is a strong likelihood of locating the matching Dragoon revolver, noted on the attachable shoulder stock by its serial no.: 17021.
One of the few matching sets of shoulder stocked U.S. marked Dragoons, in which the stock (bearing consecutive matching numbers), is still together with the pair of revolvers, is the inscribed Colonel C.A. May set in the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of American History, Department of Military History (Washington D.C.). This set bears the serial marking of 16469 and 16470 individually on the revolvers, and the identical matching numbers together on the stock yoke and buttplate.
Colt would stamp "U.S." on firearms he thought would likely be ordered by the U.S. military. The reason for this was the case-hardened finish on the frame did not welcome stamping once the hardening process had been completed.
The "2175" on the shoulder stock is the collection number of A.E. Brooks. See American Arms Collectors . . . The Al Cali Collection for reproduction of the catalogue page from the U.S. Cartridge Co. collection (page 12), on which this stocked Dragoon is illustrated.
Provenance:
A.E. Brooks
United States Cartridge Company Collection
Jonathan M. Peck
R.Q. Sutherland
Karl Press
Robert M. Lee
Al Cali

Condition Report*: Excellent. 98% blue. Patches patina and storage marks. Cylinder scene and markings crisp. Grips excellent to mint. Iron stock yoke with 70% blue, balance turning brown. Shoulder stock wood excellent to mint.

*Heritage Auctions strongly encourages in-person inspection of items by the bidder. Statements by Heritage regarding the condition of objects are for guidance only and should not be relied upon as statements of fact, and do not constitute a representation, warranty, or assumption of liability by Heritage. All lots offered are sold "AS IS".

Auction Info

2011 September Dallas Signature Arms & Armor Auction #6073 (go to Auction Home page)

Auction Dates

September, 2011

18th Sunday

Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 2

Lot Tracking Activity: N/A

Page Views: 8,638

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Sold on Sep 18, 2011 for: $126,500.00

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